What is the Difference Between Steam and Vapor?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between steam and vapor lies in their definitions and the substances they refer to.
- Steam is the gaseous state of water, typically produced when water is boiled. It is invisible and forms when water reaches its boiling point, which is 100°C at standard pressure. Steam is often used in industrial applications, such as steam distillation or steam engines.
- Vapor refers to the gaseous state of any substance, including water. It is a more general term and can be applied to various substances in a gaseous state, such as gasoline, chemicals, and cleaning products. Vapor can be visible or colorful, depending on the substance.
While steam is a type of vapor, not all vapors are steam. Some key differences between steam and vapor include:
- Steam is always a vapor, but not all vapors are steam.
- Steam is specifically the gaseous state of water, while vapor can refer to the gaseous state of any substance.
- Steam is typically invisible, while some vapors can be colorful.
- The term "vapor" is more general and can be applied to various substances, while "steam" is a technical term often used in industrial applications.
In summary, steam is the gaseous state of water, while vapor refers to the gaseous state of any substance. Although steam is a type of vapor, not all vapors are steam, and they have different characteristics depending on the substance involved.
Comparative Table: Steam vs Vapor
The main difference between steam and vapor lies in their definitions and states of matter. Here is a table comparing the two:
Property | Steam | Vapor |
---|---|---|
Definition | Steam is the gaseous state of water, created during boiling or vaporization, and is invisible. | Vapor refers to a substance in the gaseous state, at a condition where it is ordinarily a liquid or a solid. |
States of Matter | Steam is a gas. | Vapor is also a gas, but it can be a substance in the gaseous state that is ordinarily a liquid or a solid. |
Saturated Steam | Saturated steam occurs when steam is at the temperature of the boiling point corresponding to its pressure. | Saturated vapor is at the temperature of the boiling point corresponding to its pressure. |
Wet Saturated Vapor | Wet saturated vapor carries liquid globules in suspension. | Both steam and vapor can carry liquid globules in suspension. |
In summary, steam is a type of vapor, specifically referring to the gaseous state of water. Vapor can refer to any substance in the gaseous state, even if it is ordinarily a liquid or a solid. Both steam and vapor can be saturated, meaning they are at the temperature of the boiling point corresponding to their pressure, and can carry liquid globules in suspension.
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